PL – Background Information / Documents

Professional Learning – Background Information / Documents

Professional Development Plan

• Through our Northeast BOCES consortium, we have a number of research based, high quality professional development opportunities for our teachers to choose from. Our BOCES coordinates three days of PD throughout the school year. Staff have a menu of trainings to choose from, including Kagan Cooperative Learning, Love and Logic, and The New Classroom Instruction that Works. This year paraprofessionals were invited to participate in the BOCES training and they had the option of attending a paraprofessional training, as well as Love and Logic.  Additionally, as a district, we had training in August on NWEA data. Our focus was on understanding our data and reports, which led to our September inservice of Data Driven Dialogue. 
• Staff In-Service Agenda

Learning Communities:

• We use Professional Learning Communities at Akron School District. Throughout the school year, we break up into our PLC’s, to make certain that we are aligning our curriculum. Our PLC’s meet monthly. We also use our mentors to help support our new staff and we have monthly meetings with our mentors and new staff to make certain that new staff is supported.

Professional Growth Plans:

• The Akron School District uses RANDA to support Educator Effectiveness. Staff are required to submit professional growth plans each year. Staff are required to meet with their evaluators to review their professional growth plans and the beginning of year, mid of year and end of year.

Resource Allocation:

• Our resources are allocated according to priorities. Curriculum is placed on a rotating schedule, so that appropriate funds are available. Building needs are also taken into consideration and our facility is maintained and updated yearly, based on needs. Teachers are given generous classroom budgets and our resources consider student needs.
• Akron School District Budget Narrative

Data Driven:

• The Akron School District teams with our BOCES Consortium to offer a wide array of professional development. Staff are offered a menu of high quality, research based professional development, and can select from the menu to meet their professional needs and goals. The training offered through BOCES takes place three times a year and staff are surveyed to gather information on the value of the training. Additionally, based on our S-CAP goals, the Akron School District invested in NWEA training in August to help staff effectively navigate NWEA reports. The reports will allow staff to better understand the academic needs of their students. Lastly, we have set aside a large amount of our district in-services to look at our data, understand our data and take action to improve how we serve our students.
• Professional Learning Opportunities
• SAT/PSAT Scores
• ASVAB Results

​Evaluated:

• Our professional development is evaluated through surveys. Staff have an option of giving feedback and suggestions for future professional development.